Mike McCarthy: Off To A Really Good Start

to the off season program. I think, you know, first off, you have you have a season, regardless of your level of success, and there's always you know, things you need to focus on. You know, we're through the player acquisition challenge, you know, I mean it continues, but you know, we have read a ninety man and so I think clearly our opportunity to build off of we had last year. Did you feel like you know, because you don't really get to carry everything over year to year. I think

that's something you have to be in tune with. So the opportunity to build off of we feel like we have established last year. You can really you can really see its showing up, uh, particularly early in the off

season program. And I think the understanding of the players and coaches being on the same page, you know, whether we're talking about you know, the connection in the locker room, the brotherhood in the locker room, locker room to you know, the connection with the coaches, you know, you know, creating our space for development. I think we've done a tremendous job there. Um, the participation that we've had is exactly what you're looking for. And you know, I think back

to my prior experience it. You know, it is really the third year under different circumstances to you really get it the way you want it. You know, we've been you know close to you know, we're ninety five percent attendance, you know throughout the whole off season prom we've been

one hundred percent obviously since we started Phase three. So you did see all those things lead up to it, and really the thrust get to your question, because we got to get these OTA's practice the right way, you know, just because it gives you a chance to uh, because I've always felt the off season program. Two things happened. One, it gives you a chance to have a really strong training camp because you have to eliminate the learning curve.

It has to be eliminated, and you have to close that gap between your veterans in your rookies because you know, everybody goes through each year and and we're really off to a really good start. I really commend our rookie class in our coaching staff. You can see from the time of the draft, and you know, the free agents are including that they're that two week window between that the start of the rookie mini camp and now the players.

This is this is a very mature rookie class as far as they're understanding, um, the way they've you know, this is a feedback from the veterans. You know, they really appreciate the way they've come into the locker room, you know, listen and learn, ask the right questions and so forth. So we haven't won any games, we haven't accomplished you know, everything that we would like. But this is we're off to a really really good start, and you know that's kind of the state of where we are.

But the goal is to get these eight get these eight installs, you know, get them wrapped so that you know, every player knows exactly what's expected of him schematically, you know what his role is going to be, that you know the jobs that he's competing to kins and you know, and give gives us a chance to line them up because you know, for for all your they've been here forever.

You know, you just don't get as much time, you know, you know, work to work your team in a you know, real competitive environment, um as you did in the past. Now that may not bother to young people, but it does gives me a little angst because you know, you're you're used to a certain standard of developing your players. So but I really liked the offseason that we've put together so to date. Can you touch on you value me?

I know you got young kids, Yeah, definitely, I mean heavy heart obviously, I'm sure like everybody you know, just as something we're dealing with State of Texas and you know, just this week in general is just um, I mean it's mind boggling only talking about these things because it's hard enough to think about as a parent. But we've been talking about a lot today, so this is and this is obviously a topic for all of us you know here. So yeah, I just we got to be better.

I mean, responsibilities we have as a community as parents. I mean it's just uh, it's it's it's it's just to see this go on in today's world. I find it troubling. There has to be a better way, but we know there's a better way, and we need to do the things, you know that to make it better to not to protect the future of our communities. It's just it's it's it's it's tragic and um and uh yeah, it makes me sick, like I'm sure it does everybody.

It's just more frustrating for you to process and deal with the older you get because you've seen so little progress in this area. Are really going back? Yeah, you know, definitely. And I'm irish and we cry like hell of the older you get. I mean, it doesn't help, but no, it's terri well and I didn't mean to make humor of it, but I'm just trying to I'm really just trying to get myself together here. Um. Yeah, it's it's

it's I'm not just I can't even fathom. But you know, something like that happening today's and today we're so much better than that. And um and so I'm sorry you just goes this with your family at all? Is that something versus again, it's such a role, sup. I'm gonna talk about at the dinner table, you know. Uh so, yeah, I mean it's you know, I have young children, about fourth grader, so it's yeah, well sorry, I'm good, No, we're fine. Yeah, if the phone and if it's okay

to go back for a minute. Um, you mentioned a couple of months ago to ask the importance working with the perimeter group this time of the year because of the many type of work you can't you can't do. How did you feel that with today? And well, I mean we're working through it. I mean, you know, I like to you know, think that you're always trying to you know, work within the guidelines of you know, what these practices are. But I mean, let's be honest, we

went through this last year. Um. It's you have young players that are really trying to prove themselves. They got to bring a lot of energy them and they're doing everything you ask. Um. But it is our first time on a practice field. So we you know, we've had I think we had a handful of plays, uh you

know yesterday that that we need to clean up. You know, we we addressed those today in the meeting and you know, we had we had some pass rushers today that you know, we just we just you know, we're watching as a staff before I come in here, so we got to clean that up. But yeah, I think the way we're practicing. Uh, and every coaching staff and every football team is going through it because you know, they tweak and adjust these you know, these rules and the drills. But but I

really do like to work. We've adjusted, you know, you don't know if you've even noticed this. I mean we came right out of the gate, and so because of the way you have to practicing camp and ramp up, you know, so we're get we just we're really heavy, heavy, heavy perimeter emphasis doing the things that are trying to stay away from the hard ball type plays that create more collisions. Um. And you know we're gonna have to do that when we get to the auxtion or two.

So so we're trying to emulate that now so the players know what to expect. So we're this is just the way I've always done it as an offensive coordinator. You I've always liked to marry um the offseason program, practice opportunities to the training camp. Now it's gotten harder with the rules, but um, but I think it's it really helps it. When I talk about decreasing the curve between the older players and the younger players, and you know,

because I just think it's like anything. If they can get through once and the drills are similar, you know, they get to play a little faster. Uh so you got to you know, you got to ramp up to put your pads on. So the perimeter work is good.

You know, we're doing the best we can. But um, you know, when we get into you know, really next week Install three through eight, we gotta just we're gonna we'll probably do a little more walk through teaching temple there because just once again, just to stay within the rules you're going to have even if they can getting back to back scimmages, the thought process there. Yeah, definitely,

um never I've never done this. This is it's a bit of a it's a bit of a leap for me personally, but I think, you know, we're doing it for the right reasons. And I think it's a it's an opportunity to work against two AFC teams. You know,

you're on grass, you know all those things. You know, I look at all those factors, always have um you know, it's an opportunity to go up to Denver before and it's it's really risk assessment, a lot of it to work certain players in a practice environment as opposed to playing in the game. So I mean that that's the driving force for me, and just talking to the other two hey, coaches who have done this a lot. Um, I did it a lot in my earlier my career in the nineties, you know, but you know, we we

had teams all around. So, um, I know the benefits of it. But you know, it's just like anything. You know, we're going there to work, and in both all three organizations recognize that. So you know, I'm not interesting any of the other stuff that goes with it, so it'll be quality work. And you know, Nathaniel and Brandon, we've had those conversations. But I think it definitely is something different, Um, and I think it's good for you as a team.

We talk so much about the connection of our team. Uh, you know we're talking about collection of talent. I think talent's a dirty word. I think every team has talent, some have more than others. But um, you know, it's going to take a lot more a lot more in talent to win the championship. So I think these these opportunities that you have a little bit of the unknown, a little more travel, you know, maybe a train ride to don I Irvine, you know, those types of things.

I think I think there's value and all that, but most importantly, I think it gives us a chance to, you know, for our ones, you know, to really practice against each other and and just lower the risk of playing in the games. Is that like he're scrimmaging against the teams you're playing increasing season games. Is the difference in value just that you're not necessarily going to have

every player out there on the preseason game field. Well, I mean it's we're just like anything, you know, when when they take when something's taken away from you, you have to find a you know, a more efficient way to to you know, utilize the time that you do have. And what I'm talking about if we still have a

ninety man roster. But you know, for example, that you're you're able to go sixteen padded practices in training camp, and there's not a chance in hell that you can get sixteen in without running your team in the dirt, you know, so you're going to probably come in somewhere around eleven and twelve or thirteen if you're practicing. In my opinion, the right way to make sure you have

the rest and recovery in there. So you know, twelve practices, I mean, just to give you a comparable, I mean in the old days, and I mean you got to get twelve. You get twelve padd of practices on the first week, you know, so now you're going to the whole training camp is twelve padded practice. So I mean, that's you know, that's that's probably the the negative of being in the league a long time because you because you know what, you know, you have a vision of

how you want your team to practice. You have a vision how you want the team to play. More importantly, you have a vision how you want that team to come out of training camp to start the season. So and I'm not you know, I'm not here trying to get thirty eight padded practices and training cast. That's not the point. But I but I do recognize that, you know, I'm trying to maximize the time to get that done.

So the ability to have high quality work in a practice environment, you know, and to be honest with you, you know, once you get past that second week in training camp, and I think any former player of former coach would that go to this, I mean, you've already gone through your installs. You know, the guys have been competing against each other for two weeks. You know, it's a it's a good change up, you know now. I thought that, you know, the Rams practice last year, like

I like the practice that I didn't. I didn't really like the timing of it, you know, business with the Hall of Fame game and all that. But you know it's, uh, I can see why others do it, so we're gonna give it a shot. That's a long answer, but you know, I think that the key. I think it does give you a good opportunity to risk, assess and and and play your younger guys more in the preseason games. You

got three preseason games too. I think it was in the situational period today where you left tackle the jump to fall start and he was immediately to replace somebody else. Is that for to say it's part of your team's emphasis on the limited those preestat penalties, you know, to be honest with you, that's that's really the way I've

always done it. You know, anytime there was a pre stap penalty for you know, ever how many years, you know, there's there's certain things um and not to blame everything on a pandemic. Just like when we got here in a pandemic, you know, we didn't have the time to really have an offseason, Like the first time we lined up was training camp, and I mean we just had so many other challenges, so I really didn't institute that right away. But that's just something that the way I've

always done it. And I understand why you're asking a question because of our our penalty ranking last year. But yeah, it's it's definitely something that you know, once again reinforced, I mean, preest penalties. You definitely don't want them. You know, I can stand up for at an appropriate time to talk about there's no excuse for it. But you know,

Matt's that's his second practice, let's new acadence. There's a lot of anticipation, so in in going off of what I already talked about, you know, we're going to no huddle day one now, you know, we're doing two weeks to two minutes our first practice, so and we're putting a lot on it, a lot more on these guys early. I think that's that will benefit us, you know, down the road. So but yeah, that's that's that's a common practice.

If you've ever been in one of my practices in the past, you ever a guy like Marquispell, he's an undrafted free agent and he's trying to make a name for something. He makes an interception, he returns it for whovis you know who knows a two scores in a real situation, they're not playing well. I think there's a

lot of bonds are look good. It was a great moment for you, going, yeah, that's a moment for him too, And just how important are those moments to just stand out and do something to try and stand out to the coaching staff. But no, I love your question because you're making a great point there. And and he's and

he's and he's been impressive. I mean he's you know, he's he jumped out at the rookie in the rookie camp um, so you know, he's, uh was was very impressive in the zoom calls, you know, leading up the coming in here, So that you know, to me, that's all about young guys just keep stacking success and uh, you know, and and then when I start making plays like that too, that's that definitely helps. But hybrid kind yeah, a good point, and that's that's that's was part of

our attraction to him too. I think I think I would you would. You've seen what we've done with JK, you know, and the ability for safeties, you know, to play nickel and diamond, and he definitely has that ability and that was part of the attraction. That was the conversation we had to draft from too when we were talking about him with that James Washington, we saw he

was in a boot today. Do you anticipated doing anything in OTAs or mini camp or a long term I know you want to work next week, but I can't give you the specifics of that too. It's it's not a serious, serious nature. I don't think. I'm not worried long term. I'm hopeful he can go next week. I know OTAs are involuntary. But any concern about Tyron, who wasn't out there today? No, Actually Tyron was there all day to day and then right before practice, which you

know hit. I think it's it's lower back was tightened up. So we just just played as smart Washington and tennant. Iis, I don't have this a second diagnosis. I go there at four o'clock. So if you guys are really interesting. So I didn't realize we haven't do we have injury reports, And I know it's been a while. I haven't been up there in four years or three years, so I

didn't realize. Guys in Dallas are different, and I wasn't expecting an injury report for it seemed like just just talking to CD, he's embracing the idea of Ben a number one in the game and half Antons game ten pound muscle. Do you see that but him stepping up and embracing his opportunity to beat the number one he asked to Of course, yeah, I mean he's uh, he looks great. Um, but yeah, this is this is a

great opportunity for him personally. And you know, and I think just the way you know, we've established, you know, with the what the offense, particularly the passing game, you know, the ability for those guys to play different positions to you know, to create matchups and make it harder on the defense to w and those types of things. And you know him My point is, you know, him playing in the slot a lot last year, and I'll playing

the flanker positions. So um, yes, and and we understand, you know, what was his rise, and you know in year three that he's going to get a lot more attention from the defense. But he's doing he's doing all the little things that are needed to get him ready for to be the number one guy. He said it was Dak's request that human his lockering next to Dax.

How much how important are those little things yet so important And just the fact that you know Dak and you know the leadership group or even thinking about that thing, I think shows you that where we are in the locker room. So and to me, the locker room, you know, connection and brotherhood and that's all part of the fiber of winning a championship. So and and those things are happening.

Uh and you know, and I think it's great. And if I've a CD, I you know, I think you definitely just look at your quarterback a little stronger that way too. So I think it shows the connection that is definitely needed, you know, between the receivers and a quarterback, especially that in CD talking to Dalton, he said that he's really emphasizing this offices in blocking and you know you've talked about the run game and all that too.

What what do you do with the tight end like that, how how do you focus on the becoming even better in the run game. Well, I mean just I think that's part of the evaluation, you know, topic that I hit on earlier. I mean, we've had a chance to look at it, and you know, it's definitely an area where we feel like we can we can be better. And I'm not just talking about just the tight ends. I'm talking about you know, blocking the C gap and

D gap area. You know, just the building to to you know, whether you capture the contain element and you know, regardless of what defense they line up, and you're seeing a lot more five man spacing, you know five man line where you know defenses are setting edges immediately by alignment, so you know the stress on the tight end position or you know whether it's a back or you know, blocking at sea gap area is something that we need

to be better at. You know, it's it's been identified and so I think that just shows you where Doulton's focuses is. Usually for life Cyclert, He's a movement here here. I think Isaac has been just a steady year of going up. I mean he has improved every single year. Um, you know, I think in every aspect of his game. You know, I think you know, his first year, I think he was just you know, kind of figuring it out. Then going into a second year, he changed his whole body.

I mean, if you're looking at him now, he's in he's in tremendous shape. Uh. And Isaac is you know, it's something that we preached to the rookies, and I use him as an example sometimes where you know, there's there's not too many weekends or or or off days that you'll walk in here and not see Isaac. I don't know if he's in here for the free food, but he's okay, but he's uh, he's but he's here

all the time. He's strangely professional. It's really important to him. Um. And I think he's He's done a tremendous job in developing each and every year. So I'm pretty proud of Isaac. Yes, such a different level of background with Pom and a lot of the guys on the team. How many moments do you have where just the way he sees something or the questions he's asking reminds you as a coach of the way you can teach it. Oh, I think

he makes it. He makes everybody better you know, around and you know, and and he has such a great personality where you would you would never know it, you know, and he's, uh, you know, the first year was you know, definitely, you know, we need probably do a better job communicating. But but with the pandemic and all that to get through for that to be your first year and so forth.

So he's done a tremendous job. But you I don't even look at Isaacs as the new you know, a new guy that's trying to I don't view him at way anymore. He's he's definitely one of the guys now. I mean, he's worked extremely hard to get to get to this point. Thank you, thank you,